Essay Contest Finalists To Compete For Title "senator For A Day"

Brooklyn- State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C, 22nd District) today is announcing that he has selected the finalists in his 4th Annual "State Senator For A Day" essay contest.

This contest invited local school children of District 20, District 21 and District 22 to write essays no more than 250-words which began with the phrase, "If I were a State Senator for A Day...". Throughout the essay, the students write about issues facing the community such as public safety, park improvements, educational needs, and traffic concerns. The winning essays were judged on content and creativity. A contest ceremony for Wednesday, May 17, 2006, at 6:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus located at 1305-86th Street in Brooklyn.

"The contest has always served as a valuable educational learning tool for both myself and the school children of our community," said Golden, "The children present ideas and address areas of concern in their essays that are legitimate and well thought out. At times, I have taken their suggestions and work towards them in my capacity as a representative, such as the restoration of our parks and increasing police patrol on our streets."

"Over a thousand students submitted their essays for my consideration," continued Senator Golden, "As always, it is a most difficult decision to select the finalists for our local students are well educated and are understanding of the needs of this community. I look forward to hearing the children now read and present their ideas before a panel of judges on May 17th."

The finalists are: Samantha Alexander, I.S. 187, Paul Bianchi, Our Lady of Grace, Stephanie Bonja, I.S. 303, Dominika Burek, Our Lady of Angels, Spencer Dong, I.S. 201, Salvatore Emilio, Our Lady of Grace, Laura Fernandez, St. Mark’s School, Alessandra Fodera, Visitation Academy, Chelsea Harris, Visitation Academy, Kevin Huang, Our Lady of Angels, and Mustufa Khatri, I.S. 303.

The finalists also include: James Koehler, I.S. 278, Donald Langschultz, Our Lady of Grace, Christopher Mulrooney, St. Patrick’s School, Adriane Musacchio, Visitation Academy, Anthony Novelli, Our Lady of Grace, Hashim Pannu, I.S. 303, Adriana Quacinella, I.S. 278, Anthony Silvery, Our Lady of Grace, Sabrina Slattery, Our Lady of Angels, Micheel Valevich, I.S. 303, Natalie Vantuyn, I.S. 30, and Robert Zito, Our Lady of Guadelupe.

The winner of the contest, based on performance, thoughts and presentation, and their class will be invited to Albany to see the legislative process in action.

Senator Marty Golden is a member of the Senate Committee on Education.